A Parent’s Paradise Found in Los Altos

Before we had kids, I would read blogs and articles full of trendy yuppie parent tips, and just assume we would become those parents – the ones whose lifestyles didn’t change drastically with having children; the ones with the adorable kids sitting primly at the restaurant table, eating their sushi with impeccable manners, having been socialized for dining out since infancy. No chicken nugget or—God forbid—big purple mouse would ever cross our path, we were certain.

Our self-indulgent fantasies ended brutally, as had so many parents’ before us, shattered into gobs of spat-out yam roll, eardrum-piercing screams, and toys hurled across the restaurant floor. One memorable occasion involved an apple aimed at a waiter with startling precision, when my baked brie failed to meet the eighteen-month-old monarch’s expectations of “cheese” (aka mozza string cheese). Meals out turned into marathon events, one person gobbling food as quickly as humanly feasible while the other attempted to pacify the miniature banshee. We became those parents alright – the ones sheepishly muttering apologies and leaving exorbitant tips to make up for the war zone of mangled bread and shredded napkins, as other patrons gave withering looks and scrambled to sit as far from our table as possible. And don’t even get me started on coffee shops, bespectacled hipsters shooting murderous glares over their Macbooks. Most of the time, it just wasn’t worth the trouble.

Well, someone must’ve heard my prayers as I sat, yawning my head off at the playground, mentally listing the crimes I would be willing to commit for a cup of good coffee and a decent croissant. Ecstatically, I discovered that in family-friendly downtown Los Altos, there are now not one, but three groovy spots where foodie parents and their offspring can finally co-exist in blissful harmony.

First on the scene was Bumble. A quaint cottage behind a white picket fence, all soothing greys, cheery yellows, and soft seating, Bumble serves up a seasonally inspired menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The focus is on simple, wholesome rustic favorites, local and artisanal-sourced whenever possible: seared McFarland Springs trout, free-range eggs, and dressed-up s’mores for dessert. But the restaurant’s major attraction is its huge supervised playroom, where the kiddos can amuse themselves with a plethora of quality toys while parents dine in peace and sip some wine behind a prudently soundproof wall-sized aquarium. Diners-in-training can nosh on pint-sized bites like pretzel-crusted chicken, avocado smilies, and pink pancakes in cute bento boxes. A shaded sandbox keeps wee ones occupied on the pretty patio, and the bathrooms are well-stocked with changing tables, wipes, and even diapers.

While I adored the concept, the combination of Bumble’s sit-down menu and paid playroom pushed it somewhat into the splurge category. So I was beyond thrilled when its more casual cousin, Forest on First, recently sprung up next door. True to its name, the cafe’s woodsy decor feels like entering an enchanted forest. Wrapped around the dining area is the uber-cool, treehouse-themed play space – log ladders, rope bridges, tunnels, and reading nooks strewn with bean bags and sheepskins. Natural color scheme, organic materials, and adorable detail – it’s basically everything Chuck E. Cheese isn’t. Breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit juices are served counter-service along with kid-friendly choices, and mom or dad can sip a Four Barrel latte while tots burn off steam. At last, no more gulping down scorching coffee while guiltily doling out my phone to keep little hands occupied.

Los Altos’ third hotspot on the list, The Alley, is still in the works but expected to open this summer, geared towards the older, school-age and up crowd and their families (given the combo of booze and retro bowling, I’m foreseeing some love from college students). Claiming to be “a space to connect generations,” the three-floor restaurant plans to serve “modern American” cuisine (read: fancy burgers), and will feature a basement cocktail bar, karaoke lounge, and the highlight, a top-floor bowling alley alongside an old-fashioned milkshake bar. How much more wholesome can fun get?

Don’t venture out to this neck of the woods? There are other fantastic spaces around the Bay to grab a fun bite with the li’l ones. Check out Rigolo in San Francisco, Play Cafe in Oakland, drop by a Tuesday coffee and story time at Mountain View’s Red Rock Coffee, or try a make-your-own-pizza night at any Pizza My Heart location. Meanwhile, I’m trying to enjoy the sticky fingerprints on my shirt and knocked-over milk cups – before we know it, we’ll be wistfully remembering them during those much-longed-for, quiet grown up dinners.

Kate Missine is a domestic diva, shopping addict, and worshiper of all things delicious. When she’s not chasing after her toddler son, Kate can be found stirring things up in the kitchen, scouring grocery aisles for strange ingredients, or indulging in much-needed retail therapy. She holds a B.A. in Communications and Publishing and accepts pastries and shoes as currency. 

By Kate Missine